Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to gas fuel systems on-board of a motor-vehicle. Specifically,
the present invention is directed at a system having the features indicated in the
preamble of Claim 1.
Prior art
[0002] Motor-vehicles with gas fuel system are now very widespread, since the economic savings
obtainable are very relevant, for the same distance, compared to motor-vehicles with
traditional gasoline systems. One of the disadvantages of gas fuel systems, compared
to traditional gasoline systems, is undoubtedly that of the bulk and weight of the
gas tanks containing the gas fuel. It is therefore necessary to set up systems configured
to support the weight of the gas tanks and also configured to protect the gas tanks
from undesirable damages. The documents
DE 1020 13 00 64 60 A1 and
US 2006 00 33 32 2 A1 disclose two systems having the features indicated at the beginning of the present
description.
[0003] Figures 1 and 2 of the attached drawings show another system for supporting and protecting
one or more gas tanks of a gas fuel system of a motor-vehicle, produced according
to the prior art.
[0004] More particularly, Figures 1, 2 each illustrate a schematic perspective view of a
motor-vehicle floor P which is associated with a known system for supporting and protecting
a pair of gas tanks 1 of a gas fuel system. With reference to the drawings, the lower
surface of the floor P intended to face the ground is facing upwards.
[0005] With reference to Figure 1, the pair of gas tanks 1 containing gas fuel is associated
with a rear section P0 of the floor P of the motor-vehicle equipped with a gas fuel
system. The gas tanks 1 are protruding below the portion P0 of the floor P.
[0006] The known type of system for supporting and protecting gas tanks 1 is formed of several
elements, in which some of them are provided solely to achieve the function of supporting
the weight of the gas tanks, and others are provided solely to achieve the function
of protecting the gas tanks from interference with foreign bodies.
[0007] More specifically and still with reference to Figure 1, each gas tank 1 is supported
at the rear portion P0 of the floor P by means of a pair of bands 3 that wrap around
the outer body of the tank 1. Each pair of bands 3 is secured to a bracket 2 rigidly
connected to the portion P0 of the floor P. The bands 3 and the brackets 2 are, therefore,
provided to support the gas tanks 1 below the portion P0 of the floor P.
[0008] Figure 2 illustrates, in addition to the same elements as in the previous figure,
a covering element 4 provided solely to protect the outer body of the gas tanks 1.
The covering element 4 is rigidly connected to the brackets 2 and has a cup-like shape
so as to completely cover the outer body of the gas tanks 1. Thanks to the above-described
conformation of the covering element 4, it is able to protect the gas tanks 1 protruding
below the motor-vehicle floor P from interference with foreign bodies.
[0009] The present invention stems from the desire to produce a system for supporting and
protecting one or more gas tanks of a gas fuel system on-board of a motor-vehicle,
which is simpler and cheaper to produce compared to the known systems.
Object of the invention
[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to produce a system for supporting
and protecting at least one gas tank of a gas fuel system on-board of a motor-vehicle
that is constructively simple, economic to produce, easy to assembly on-board a motor-vehicle,
but which, at the same time, is able to fully satisfy the two main functions described
above for supporting and protecting the gas tanks of the vehicle.
Summary of the invention
[0011] In view of achieving the aforesaid objects, the present invention relates to a system
for supporting and protecting at least one gas tank of a gas fuel system on-board
of a motor-vehicle, having the characteristics indicated in Claim 1.
[0012] Thanks to the characteristics indicated above, the system according to the present
invention allows the functions of supporting and protecting the gas tanks of the gas
fuel system to be achieved, with a simple and economic solution.
[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is also directed at a motor-vehicle comprising
a gas fuel system with at least one gas tank containing gas fuel, and a system having
the characteristics previously indicated, with the purpose of supporting and protecting
the gas tank.
Detailed description
[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from
the description that follows with reference to the attached drawings, provided purely
by way of non-limiting example, wherein:
- Figures 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views of a system for supporting and protecting
a gas tank of a gas fuel system on-board of a motor-vehicle, produced according to
the prior art,
- Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a system for supporting and protecting
at least one gas tank of a gas fuel system on-board of a motor-vehicle, according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
- Figure 4 is a view on an enlarged scale of some parts illustrated in Figure 3,
- Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of various elements illustrated in Figures 3
and 4, and
- Figure 7 illustrates an additional perspective view of the system according to the
present invention associated with a petrol tank.
[0015] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a known type of system for supporting and protecting
one or more gas tanks of a gas fuel system on-board of a motor-vehicle has already
been described above.
[0016] An preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figures 3-7 of a system S according to
the invention, for supporting and protecting at least one gas tank of a gas fuel system
on-board of a motor-vehicle. In these figures, only one gas tank is illustrated, but
the system according to the present invention can also be applied to the case of two
or more gas tanks. In the figures illustrating the system according to the invention,
parts in common or corresponding to those illustrated in Figures 1, 2 are indicated
with the same references
[0017] As in the known systems, in the system S according to the present invention, the
gas tank 1 is arranged to protrude below the motor-vehicle floor P, and a covering
element 5 is arranged to protect the gas tank 1. In the system S according to the
present invention, the covering element 5 is in direct or indirect contact with the
gas tank 1, and the gas tank 1 is supported by the floor P of the motor-vehicle by
means of the covering element 5, without the aid of additional elements for supporting
the tank 1. As a result, the covering element 5 is designed to fulfil both the function
of protecting the gas tank from interference with foreign bodies that can lead to
damage to the tanks (for example, hitting by stones or interference with obstacles
on the ground) as well as the function of supporting the gas tank at the motor-vehicle
floor P.
[0018] The covering element 5 presents a cup-shaped central portion 9 to cover the outer
body of the gas tank 1 and a perimeter flange 8. In the mounted condition, on the
motor-vehicle floor P, the covering element 5 has an upper surface S1 facing the gas
tank 1 and a lower surface S2 facing the ground. As illustrated in Figure 4, the covering
element 5 is connected below the floor P by means of a plurality of fastening elements
10 arranged along the perimeter flange 8. The fastening elements 10 can have threaded
connections (as shown) or rivets or welding points.
[0019] According to an important characteristic of the invention illustrated in the drawings,
the covering element 5 has a plurality of reinforcement brackets 6, which are rigidly
connected to its central portion 9 at its lower surface S2 (Figure 4). The brackets
6 are connected to the lower surface S2 of the covering element 5 by means of a plurality
of fastening elements 7. In this case as well, the fastening elements 7 can be bolts,
rivets or welding points. To attach the brackets 6 to the covering element 5, the
fastening elements 10 used for supporting the covering element 5 at the floor P are
used, at least in part. The reinforcing brackets 6 are arranged to give greater rigidity
to the covering element 5 at the points of maximum stress due to the weight of the
gas tanks 1.
[0020] Figure 5 of the attached drawings illustrates a perspective view of the covering
element 5 and, in particular, its upper surface S1. A pair of bands of polymeric elastomeric
material 14 is provided on the upper surface S1 at the central portion 9 of the covering
element 5. The bands of polymeric elastomeric material 14 are arranged in such a way
that the contact between the gas tank 1 and the covering element 5 is created through
these band elements of polymeric elastic material. The contact between the gas tank
1 and the covering element 5 is, therefore, indirect because the bands 14 are interposed
between the gas tanks and the upper surface of the covering element. Thanks to this
characteristic, any type of anomaly resulting from the contact between the outer surface
of the gas tank 1 and the surface S1 of the covering element 5 is thus avoided.
[0021] According to a further characteristic of the invention, the system also comprises
at least one locking band 12 designed to partially wrap around the gas tank 1. In
the illustrated example of Figure 6, there are two locking bands 12, which are rigidly
connected to the upper surface S1 of the covering element 5 at its end portions adjacent
to the perimeter flange 8. The locking bands 12 are locked by means of a plurality
of fastening elements 13. Thanks to this characteristic, the locking bands 12 secure
the gas tank 1 within the covering element 5 so as to avoid any movement of the gas
tank 1 caused by the movement of the motor-vehicle on the road.
[0022] The present invention is also aimed at a motor-vehicle that comprises a gas fuel
system with at least one gas tank 1 containing the gas fuel, and a system S according
to the present invention for supporting and protecting the gas tank 1 at the floor
P. One example of application of the system S to a motor-vehicle floor P is shown
in Figure 7. In this figure, the floor P comprises a portion with a compartment V
configured to alternatively receive a conventional petrol tank or a petrol tank 15
with reduced dimensions and a gas tank with which the S system is associated for supporting
and protecting the gas tank according to the present invention (as illustrated in
Figure 7). By providing the compartment V, the motor-vehicle manufacturer can use
the same type of floor P to produce either a motor-vehicle with a conventional petrol
system or a motor-vehicle with a dual-fuel system (bifuel gas and petrol).
[0023] Thanks to the characteristics described above, the system according to the present
invention efficiently performs both the support function of the gas tank on the motor-vehicle
floor and the protection function of the gas tank, by means of a constructively simple,
economical and easy-to-implement solution.
[0024] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction
and the embodiments may vary widely with respect to those described and illustrated
purely by way of example, without departing from the scope of the present invention,
as defined in the claims.
1. A system (S) for supporting and protecting at least one gas tank (1) of a gas fuel
system on-board of a motor-vehicle, wherein said gas tank (1) is arranged to protrude
below a floor (P) of a motor-vehicle and said system (S) is adapted to be associated
with a floor (P) of a motor-vehicle at a gas tank (1),
said system (S) comprising a covering element (4, 5) rigidly connectable below the
floor (P) of the motor-vehicle, wherein said covering element (4, 5) is cup-shaped
to cover the outer body of said gas tank (1) and, when said system (S) is associated
with the floor (P) of the motor-vehicle at a gas tank (1), has an upper surface (S1)
facing said gas tank (1) and a lower surface (S2) facing the ground, so that said
covering element (4, 5) protects said gas tank (1) protruding below the floor (P)
of the motor-vehicle from interference with foreign bodies,
when said system (S) is associated with the floor (P) of the motor-vehicle at a gas
tank (1), said covering element (5) is in direct or indirect contact with said gas
tank (1), and said gas tank (1) is supported by the floor (P) of the motor-vehicle
by means of said covering element (5), without the aid of additional elements to support
said gas tank (1),
said covering element (5) is adapted to be connected below the floor (P) of the motor-vehicle
by means of a plurality of fastening elements (10) arranged along a perimeter flange
(8) of said covering element (4,5),
said system (S) also comprises at least one locking band (12) intended for partially
wrapping around a gas tank (1), wherein said locking band (12) is rigidly connected
to the upper surface (S1) of said covering element (5) at its end portions in such
a way that, when said system (S) is associated with the floor (P) of a motor-vehicle
at a gas tank (1), said locking band (12) secures the gas tank (1) within the covering
element (5) so as to avoid movements of the gas tank (1) caused by the movement of
the motor-vehicle,
said system (S) being
characterized in that:
said covering element (5) has a plurality of reinforcing brackets (6), which are arranged
to give greater rigidity to the covering element (5) at points of maximum stress due
to the weight of the gas tank (1), said brackets (6) being rigidly connected to a
central portion (9) of the covering element (5) at its lower surface (S2) by further
fastening elements (7),
said fastening elements (10) arranged along the perimeter flange (8) of said covering
element (4,5), being also used, at least in part, to attach said brackets (6) to the
covering element (5), and
said covering element (5) has at least one band element of polymeric elastic material
(14) at its central portion (9) arranged on the upper surface (S1) of said covering
element (5), in such a way that, when said system (S) is associated with the floor
(P) of the motor-vehicle at a gas tank (1), the contact between said gas tank (1)
and said covering element (5) is achieved by means of said band element of polymeric
elastic material (14).
2. A motor-vehicle comprising a floor (P) and a gas fuel system with at least one gas
tank (1) containing said gas fuel, wherein said gas tank protrudes below the floor
(P) of the motor-vehicle, said motor-vehicle being characterized in that it also comprises a system (S) according to any of the preceding claims for supporting
and protecting said gas tank (1).
3. A motor-vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that said floor (P) comprises a portion with a compartment (V) arranged to receive a petrol
tank (15) side-by-side to said gas tank (1) with associated said system (S) for supporting
and protecting said gas tank (1).
1. System (S) zum Tragen und Schützen wenigstens eines Gastanks (1) eines Gas-Kraftstoffsystems
an Bord eines Kraftfahrzeugs, wobei der Gastank (1) so angeordnet ist, dass er von
einem Boden (P) eines Kraftfahrzeugs nach unten vorsteht, und das System (S) so eingerichtet
ist, dass es mit einem Boden (P) eines Kraftfahrzeugs an einem Gastank (1) verbunden
ist,
das System (S) ein Abdeckelement (4, 5) umfasst, das unter dem Boden (P) des Kraftfahrzeugs
starr angebracht werden kann, wobei das Abdeckelement (4, 5) schalenförmig ist und
den Außenkörper des Gastanks (1) abdeckt, und, wenn das System (S) mit dem Boden (P)
des Kraftfahrzeugs an einem Gastank (1) verbunden ist, eine obere Fläche (S1), die
dem Gastank (1) zugewandt ist, und eine untere Fläche (S2) hat, die dem Boden zugewandt
ist, so dass das Abdeckelement (4, 5) den Gastank (1), der von dem Boden (P) des Kraftfahrzeugs
nach unten vorsteht, vor Zusammentreffen mit Fremdkörpern schützt,
wenn das System (S) mit dem Boden (P) des Kraftfahrzeugs an einem Gastank (1) verbunden
ist, das Abdeckelement (5) in direktem oder indirektem Kontakt mit dem Gastank (1)
ist und der Gastank (1) mittels des Abdeckelementes (5) von dem Boden (P) des Kraftfahrzeugs
ohne die Hilfe zusätzlicher Elemente zum Tragen des Gastanks (1) getragen wird,
das Abdeckelement (5) so eingerichtet ist, dass es mittels einer Vielzahl von Befestigungselementen
(10), die entlang eines Umfangsflansches (8) des Abdeckelementes (4, 5) angeordnet
sind, unter dem Boden (P) des Kraftfahrzeugs angebracht wird,
das System (S) des Weiteren wenigstens einen Fixierbügel (12) umfasst, der dazu dient
einen Gastank (1) wenigstens teilweise zu umschließen, wobei der Fixierbügel (12)
an seinen Endabschnitten starr so mit der oberen Fläche (S1) des Abdeckelementes (5)
verbunden ist, dass wenn das System (S) mit dem Boden (P) eines Kraftfahrzeugs an
einem Gastank (1) verbunden ist, der Fixierbügel (12) den Gastank (1) innerhalb des
Abdeckelementes (5) so befestigt, dass durch die Bewegung des Kraftfahrzeugs verursachte
Bewegungen des Gastanks (1) vermieden werden,
wobei das System (S)
dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass:
das Abdeckelement (5) eine Vielzahl verstärkender Schellen (6) aufweist, die so angeordnet
sind, dass sie dem Abdeckelement (5) an Punkten maximaler Belastung aufgrund des Gewichtes
des Gastanks (1) größere Steifigkeit verleihen, wobei die Schellen (6) über weitere
Befestigungselemente (7) mit einem mittigen Abschnitt (9) des Abdeckelementes (5)
an dessen unterer Fläche (S2) starr verbunden sind,
die Befestigungselemente (10), die entlang des Umfangsflansches (8) des Ab-deckelementes
(4, 5) angeordnet sind, wenigstens teilweise auch dazu dienen, die Schellen (6) an
dem Abdeckelement (5) anzubringen, und
das Abdeckelement (5) wenigstens ein Streifenelement aus polymerem elastischen Material
(14) in seinem mittigen Abschnitt (9) aufweist, das an der oberen Fläche (S1) des
Abdeckelementes (5) so angeordnet ist, dass, wenn das System (S) mit dem Boden (P)
des Kraftfahrzeugs an einem Gastank (1) verbunden ist, der Kontakt zwischen dem Gastank
(1) und dem Abdeckelement (5) mittels des Streifenelementes aus polymerem elastischen
Material (14) hergestellt wird.
2. Kraftfahrzeug, das einen Boden (P) und ein Gas-Kraftstoffsystem mit wenigstens einem
den Gas-Kraftstoff enthaltenden Gastank (1) umfasst, wobei der Gastank von dem Boden
(P) des Kraftfahrzeugs nach unten vorsteht, und das Kraftfahrzeug dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass es des Weiteren ein System (S) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche zum Tragen
und Schützen des Gastanks (1) umfasst.
3. Kraftfahrzeug nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Boden (P) einen Abschnitt mit einer Kammer (V) umfasst, die so eingerichtet ist,
dass sie einen Benzintank (15) neben dem Gastank (1) mit dem zugehörigen System (S)
zum Tragen und Schützen des Gastanks (1) aufnimmt.
1. Système (S) de support et de protection d'au moins un réservoir de gaz (1) d'un système
de carburant gazeux à bord d'un véhicule automobile, dans lequel ledit réservoir de
gaz (1) est agencé pour faire saillie sous un plancher (P) d'un véhicule automobile
et ledit système (S) est adapté pour être associé à un plancher (P) d'un véhicule
automobile au niveau d'un réservoir de gaz (1),
ledit système (S) comprenant un élément de recouvrement (4, 5) pouvant être relié
de manière rigide sous le plancher (P) du véhicule automobile, dans lequel ledit élément
de recouvrement (4, 5) est en forme de coupelle pour couvrir le corps extérieur dudit
réservoir de gaz (1) et, lorsque ledit système (S) est associé au plancher (P) du
véhicule automobile au niveau d'un réservoir de gaz (1), présente une surface supérieure
(S1) faisant face audit réservoir de gaz (1) et une surface inférieure (S2) faisant
face au sol, de sorte que ledit élément de recouvrement (4, 5) protège ledit réservoir
de gaz (1) faisant saillie sous le plancher (P) du véhicule automobile contre les
interférences avec des corps étrangers,
lorsque ledit système (S) est associé au plancher (P) du véhicule automobile au niveau
d'un réservoir de gaz (1), ledit élément de recouvrement (5) est en contact direct
ou indirect avec ledit réservoir de gaz (1), et ledit réservoir de gaz (1) est supporté
par le plancher (P) du véhicule automobile au moyen dudit élément de recouvrement
(5), sans l'aide d'éléments supplémentaires pour supporter ledit réservoir de gaz
(1),
ledit élément de recouvrement (5) est adapté pour être relié sous le plancher (P)
du véhicule automobile au moyen d'une pluralité d'éléments de fixation (10) agencés
le long d'une bride périmétrique (8) dudit élément de recouvrement (4, 5),
ledit système (S) comprend également au moins une bande de verrouillage (12) destinée
à s'enrouler partiellement autour d'un réservoir de gaz (1), où ladite bande de verrouillage
(12) est reliée de manière rigide à la surface supérieure (S1) dudit élément de recouvrement
(5) au niveau de ses parties d'extrémité de sorte que, lorsque ledit système (S) est
associé au plancher (P) d'un véhicule automobile au niveau d'un réservoir de gaz (1),
ladite bande de verrouillage (12) fixe le réservoir de gaz (1) à l'intérieur de l'élément
de recouvrement (5) de manière à éviter les mouvements du réservoir de gaz (1) provoqués
par le mouvement du véhicule automobile,
ledit système (S) étant
caractérisé en ce que :
ledit élément de recouvrement (5) a une pluralité de supports de renforcement (6)
qui sont agencés pour donner une plus grande rigidité à l'élément de recouvrement
(5) aux points de contrainte maximale en raison du poids du réservoir de gaz (1),
lesdits supports (6) étant reliés de manière rigide à une partie centrale (9) de l'élément
de recouvrement (5) au niveau de sa surface inférieure (S2) par des éléments de fixation
supplémentaires (7),
lesdits éléments de fixation (10) agencés le long de la bride périmétrique (8) dudit
élément de recouvrement (4, 5), étant également utilisés, au moins en partie, pour
attacher lesdits supports (6) à l'élément de recouvrement (5), et
ledit élément de recouvrement (5) a au moins un élément de bande en matériau élastique
polymère (14) au niveau de sa partie centrale (9) agencé sur la surface supérieure
(S1) dudit élément de recouvrement (5), de sorte que, lorsque ledit système (S) est
associé au plancher (P) du véhicule automobile au niveau d'un réservoir de gaz (1),
le contact entre ledit réservoir de gaz (1) et ledit élément de recouvrement (5) soit
obtenu au moyen dudit élément de bande en matériau élastique polymère (14).
2. Véhicule automobile comprenant un plancher (P) et un système de carburant gazeux avec
au moins un réservoir de gaz (1) contenant ledit carburant gazeux, dans lequel ledit
réservoir de gaz fait saillie sous le plancher (P) du véhicule automobile, ledit véhicule
automobile étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend également un système (S) selon l'une des revendications précédentes pour
supporter et protéger ledit réservoir de gaz (1).
3. Véhicule automobile selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit plancher (P) comprend une partie avec un compartiment (V) agencé pour recevoir
un réservoir d'essence (15) côte à côte dudit réservoir de gaz (1) avec ledit système
(S) associé pour supporter et protéger ledit réservoir de gaz (1).